Prepineer Digest 015
FE Exam Success, calculating least squares, scheduled breaks and the detriment of thinking too much
For most, choosing a program to prepare for the FE Exam is like walking through the freezer section at the local market in search of dinner.
What initially comes across as convenient, ends up being over-processed, underwhelming and stale when they get it home and on to the table.
It’s not surprising then that so many individuals are struggling to pass the FE Exam.
We aren’t going to let that be your story.
This is your time, I am here to help!
Justin Dickmeyer, PE
Founder, Prepineer
The goods
What’s featured in this weeks digest
In this Prepineer digest, we are diving deep in to some of the more important components of exam prep, inching you forward, one brick at a time, towards success on the FE Exam – here is the rundown:
- When “numbing” becomes the pursuit: Analysis to paralysis
- Need some reps in practice, we’ve got you covered, walking you through a practice problem in Probability and Statistics: How do you define a least squares regression line?
- Need to know what to expect on exam day, once those doors close…we touch on scheduled breaks: Can I go to my car during my scheduled break?
- After 10+ years off the books, Rob’s journey began: A Prepineer Success: The inspirational story of Rob LeGrano
Click where you’d like to start, or check out each resource individually, whichever way you go, enjoy!
Quick tip
Analysis to paralysis
Think it through first…
Today, I say forget that.
Most of us just need to take a step and overthinking that crucial first action is the very thing that is holding so many of us back from doing anything at all.
Over the years, we have been conditioned to think through the things we do.
We were taught to analyze every single aspect of a pursuit to ensure the likelihood of the result would bring us some benefit in the end.
In theory, this is great, but at the same time, it has been to the detriment of so many people I know.
Analysis has become paralysis for many of you.
No longer are we analyzing the real tangible benefits of a pursuit, but whether we have enough time to do it at all.
When the subjectivity of your personal circumstances become the center of analysis, you’ve entered the realm of seeking comfort over growth.
So for a moment, why don’t you analyze that.
Analyze the comfort as the pursuit, because let’s be real, that’s what it has become.
Listen, I get that thoughts about taking the FE Exam can bring heavy emotions that are so uncomfortable that we naturally want to reroute our direction so that we don’t have to feel them – which works…
Until it doesn’t.
Yes, we can numb in the moment, but know, that by rerouting our dreams and aspirations today, we are saying yes to the temporary comfort that it brings, and that in and of itself becomes the pursuit.
Then 5, 10, 15+ years go by and we realize that we are sitting in the same cubicle, doing the same things for the same people.
At this point, there is no avoiding it.
It’s real, and getting realer each and every day as you feel the pressures mount against your once lively career.
You wake uninspired, dread the commute and resort to eyeballing the clock religiously counting the moment you are off.
Instead of numbing the emotions, the emotions are now numbing you.
It’s natural to move to protect yourself in times of uncertainty – but we need to stop pretending as if pushing those things we know will improve our overall quality of life off now will end up doing us any good in the long run.
That’s a hoop dream.
So today, let those emotions flow.
Feel them, embrace them and ultimately lean in to them.
Your greatest growth has always come outside of your comfort zone, let’s get uncomfortable.
As always, with love, Prepineer
Daily Dose
How do you define a regression line using least squares?
I know for me, PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS had me scratching my head in college.
I didn’t really get the need for the tables and strict formulas, but I was wrong – very wrong.
Much of what we do as engineers couldn’t be done without relying on the workings within this discipline.
In this video, we jump in to a problem that is covered in the subject of ENGINEERING PROBABILITY & STATISTICS, specifically, we will be working on a problem dealing with the LEAST SQUARES LINEAR REGRESSION LINE.
Enjoy! 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to my car during my scheduled break?
Strolling in to your testing center on the day of your FE Exam might initially feel like a shake down given to a felon walking in to prison.
Question is, at any point during the exam is there a way out?
Let’s get in to it…
Student Success
Rob LeGrano
We have been honored to walk alongside engineers in all stages of life – from recent grads to recent retirees pursuing the life goal of becoming a PE, and everything in between.
Each student is unique in their personal story, but they all share one thing – they took bold and courageous steps towards a long-held dream and aspiration of becoming a licensed engineer.
Question is, will you do the same?
Today we take a step in to the world of Rob LeGrano, who after a solid 10 years removed from academia, decided it was time to get his Professional Engineering license.
Until we meet again my friend, may God bless you and your family! 🙂
